{"id":11167,"date":"2024-06-13T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-13T13:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/?p=11167"},"modified":"2026-02-19T08:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T08:19:47","slug":"cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"CFA ESG Exam Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"@id\": \"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#faq\",\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is CFA ESG Difficult?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Not really. Difficulty depends on your interest level and how much effort you put in. The exam is about 2 hours and 20 minutes with 100 questions, and passing is often described as needing roughly 60% to 70% correct. The exam is designed to test what you learned rather than to trick you, but you should be prepared for detail-oriented questions (including some that may ask for exact figures).\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How Long Does It Take to Prepare for CFA ESG Exams?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"If you\u2019re new to ESG, a common guideline is around 130 study hours, since many concepts may be unfamiliar and the learning approach may feel different. After learning the material, you\u2019ll also want time for mock exams and self-assessment practice to build confidence and identify weak areas.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What Should I Study for CFA ESG?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Key study areas include: Introduction to ESG; Fundamentals of ESG; ESG Disclosure; Financial Analysis and ESG Integration; Greenhouse Gas Accounting; Human Capital Management; Professional Ethics; Corporate Governance; Carbon Market Fundamentals; and Introduction to Climate Risk Management. The certification also extends to additional practice-oriented coursework such as Developing ESG Policies and Conducting a Materiality Assessment.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why Do I Need a CFA ESG Certification?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The certification helps you build practical ESG knowledge, including how to assess and manage ESG-related risks, integrate ESG considerations into analysis, and apply relevant standards in decision-making. It is widely recognized in finance, can strengthen your resume, and may support career growth by signaling ESG competence and professional ethics to employers.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What Are the Career Opportunities for CFA ESG?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Career paths commonly associated with ESG skills include roles like Investment Officer, Portfolio Analyst, Chief Investment Officer, ESG Advisory Manager, Investment Consultant, and Director of Private Equity Strategies. These opportunities often span areas such as asset management, consulting, business analysis, research, corporate development, leadership, and credit analysis.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is CFA ESG Better Than Garp SCR?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"They focus on different outcomes. CFA ESG emphasizes ESG investing and portfolio considerations, while GARP SCR focuses more on climate risk and its management. The article notes they are similarly priced, and suggests study-time expectations of roughly 130 hours for CFA ESG versus about 100 hours for SCR (for beginners). SCR is described as having 80 questions, while CFA ESG has 100, and result timelines may differ (CFA ESG often provides results quickly, whereas SCR can take longer).\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How Do I Access CFA ESG Study Materials?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"CFA ESG learning materials are accessed through the CFA Institute. You typically register (free) to access materials such as the syllabus, downloadable curriculum PDFs, self-assessment questions, and a mock exam\/specimen paper, and then log in to access candidate resources.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the question that begs: is the demand for ESG expertise waning in the face of a shrinking job market? Far from it! In fact, the allure of the CFA ESG certification remains undiminished amidst evolving industry trends. With such compelling prospects, isn&#8217;t it time you fortified your career credentials with this formidable exam?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, amid the buzz surrounding CFA ESG exams, how can one discern fact from mere hearsay? Seeking clarity on this shouldn&#8217;t leave you scratching your head. This article is your definitive guide, demystifying the core truths and intricacies of CFA ESG exams. So, settle in and journey with us to uncover all you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#Is_CFA_ESG_Difficult\" >Is CFA ESG Difficult?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#How_Long_Does_It_Take_to_Prepare_for_CFA_ESG_Exams\" >How Long Does It Take to Prepare for CFA ESG Exams?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#What_Should_I_Study_for_CFA_ESG\" >What Should I Study for CFA ESG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#Why_Do_I_Need_a_CFA_ESG_Certification\" >Why Do I Need a CFA ESG Certification?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#What_Are_the_Career_Opportunities_for_CFA_ESG\" >What Are the Career Opportunities for CFA ESG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#Is_CFA_ESG_Better_Than_Garp_SCR\" >Is CFA ESG Better Than Garp SCR?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/cfa-esg-exam-frequently-asked-questions\/#How_Do_I_Access_CFA_ESG_Study_Materials\" >How Do I Access CFA ESG Study Materials?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_CFA_ESG_Difficult\"><\/span><strong>Is CFA ESG Difficult?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, not really. How hard it feels depends on how much effort you put in and if you&#8217;re interested in the topic. If you&#8217;re doing it for yourself, it can feel easier. Plus, passing the exam can help your career a lot. But remember, some topics might be new to you, so you might need to study more if you&#8217;re also working or studying other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What&#8217;s on the exam? It&#8217;s a test that lasts about 2 hours and 20 minutes. There are 100 questions, and you need to get around 60% to 70% right to pass. The questions talk about things such as picking investments based on certain rules, special types of funds, and how to invest for a good cause. People who know a lot about this topic compose the questions. Nevertheless, with good study habits, you can get ready for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are the questions designed to trick you? Not really. They just check if you know the things you learned. And many people find learning about ESG investing interesting. The exam guide says you should study for about 130 hours. But if you know some things about ESG already, you might need less time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, some questions ask for specific details, such as exact numbers. The exam constantly evolves, but it&#8217;s good to be ready for these questions. If you study well and understand the details, you should excel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin:18px 0 26px; text-align:center;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/free-trial\/\"\n     target=\"_blank\"\n     rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;padding:12px 18px;border:2px solid #2563eb;border-radius:14px;color:#2563eb;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;font-size:15px;line-height:1.2;background:#ffffff;\">\n    Practice CFA ESG exam questions.\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Does_It_Take_to_Prepare_for_CFA_ESG_Exams\"><\/span><strong>How Long Does It Take to Prepare for CFA ESG Exams?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wondering how long you should study for the CFA ESG exams? For those new to the field, plan for about 130 hours. Why? Because you&#8217;ll come across new ideas that might take a while to understand fully. Plus, the way these topics are taught might be different from what you&#8217;re used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you get used to these topics, you&#8217;ll need time to gauge yourself with mock exams and self-assessment questions. And if you&#8217;re new to topics such as Professional Ethics or Financial Analysis, studying with others can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Should_I_Study_for_CFA_ESG\"><\/span><strong>What Should I Study for CFA ESG?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You must cover a couple of areas in your CFA ESG certification. These courses are highly examinable and are crucial for your professional practice. They include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introduction to ESG Level 1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fundamentals of ESG Level 2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ESG Disclosure Level 2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial Analysis and ESG Integration Level 3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greenhouse Gas Accounting Level 3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human Capital Management Level 1.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Professional Ethics Level 1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Corporate Governance Level 2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carbon Market Fundamentals Level 3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introduction to Climate Risk Management Level 1.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The certification extends to two more lab practice courses: Developing ESG Policies and Conducting a Materiality Assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_I_Need_a_CFA_ESG_Certification\"><\/span><strong>Why Do I Need a CFA ESG Certification?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking about the benefits of the CFA ESG certification? Well, it helps you learn the best ways to understand and manage ESG risks. With topics covering ESG integration, analysis, and how to engage with them, the course gives you a solid understanding. By the end of the course, you&#8217;ll be able to assess risks and make choices that meet CFA ESG standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This certification is well-known in finance and can lead to better remuneration. The training focuses on high standards and good ethics, which are key in finance. This certification will boost your resume and show you&#8217;re an expert in ESG. In addition, companies will trust you with important investment tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for a course that goes beyond finance basics? The CFA ESG is a great choice. It equips you with tools to handle sustainability challenges. You&#8217;ll also get better at analyzing ESG topics and engaging with them. Through the course, you\u2019ll meet professionals from around the world and enjoy knowledge exchange as you expand your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Career_Opportunities_for_CFA_ESG\"><\/span><strong>What Are the Career Opportunities for CFA ESG?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a ton of career paths for candidates with CFA ESG certifications, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Investment Officer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Portfolio Analyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chief Investment Officer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ESG Advisory Manager.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investment Consultant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Director of Private Equity Strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These roles fall under categories such as Asset Management, Management Consulting, Business Analysis, Research, Corporate Development, Senior Leadership, and Credit Analyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Asset Management, you&#8217;ll handle investments for clients. With CFA ESG, you can help institutions like insurance companies or pension funds manage their money better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Management Consulting, understanding ESG strategies is key. You&#8217;ll guide public groups, companies, and investors in making good financial choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Business Analyst, you&#8217;ll help companies understand their finances and find ways to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Senior Leadership roles, you&#8217;ll use your CFA ESG knowledge to guide businesses on important ESG topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Credit Analysts check if someone can be trusted to pay back loans. Your skills will help decide if someone should get a loan or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Corporate Development focuses on how a company can grow. You&#8217;ll be part of decisions that help a company expand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you&#8217;re a CFA ESG Researcher, you&#8217;ll study the financial world. Then, you&#8217;ll advise on if it&#8217;s a good time to buy, sell, or hold onto investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_CFA_ESG_Better_Than_Garp_SCR\"><\/span><strong>Is CFA ESG Better Than Garp SCR?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wondering which course is best for you: CFA ESG or Garp SCR? Let&#8217;s discuss this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both courses cost about the same. But they focus on different things. CFA ESG talks a lot about ESG investing and managing portfolios. On the other hand, Garp SCR focuses on climate risks and how to manage them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Garp SCR covers a lot about financial climates, rules, and laws. It&#8217;s a bit more detailed than CFA ESG. For beginners, studying about 100 hours for Garp SCR might be enough. But for CFA ESG, you might need around 130 hours. Both courses give you one practice exam. It&#8217;s worth appreciating that some people think that&#8217;s not enough. You can buy more practice tests from other places if you want more practice tests. Just be careful and pick ones that are good quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the real exams, Garp SCR has 80 questions, while CFA ESG has 20 more. Having more questions can be good because you can make a few mistakes and still do well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take both exams online or in person. But the results come out at different times. With CFA ESG, you get your results quickly, usually right after the exam. For Garp SCR, you might wait for up to 2 months. And Garp SCR exams happen twice a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, the choice is yours. Both courses have their benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_I_Access_CFA_ESG_Study_Materials\"><\/span><strong>How Do I Access CFA ESG Study Materials?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The CFA ESG exam is administered by the CFA Institute, whose website provides access to learning materials. The website requires you to register for free before accessing the different study materials.&nbsp; The study materials include the syllabus, downloadable PDFs covering the curriculum, self-assessment questions, and the mock exam (initially called specimen paper).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After completing your registration, you must log into the CFA Institute website. You\u2019ll access premium <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cfainstitute.org\/en\/programs\/esg-investing\/candidate\">candidate resources<\/a> there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking about the CFA ESG certification? It&#8217;s becoming more important in the industry. Whereas it might seem tough at first, with determination and extra study time, you can do it. Don&#8217;t let the idea that it&#8217;s too hard stop you. Once you get it, you&#8217;ll see its value, especially when you start your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking about when to take the exam? It&#8217;s good to choose a time when you&#8217;re not too busy. But hey, if you&#8217;re working and want to give it a try, go for it! Just make sure you can manage your time well. If you haven\u2019t yet, <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/shop\/cfa-esg-complete-course-offered-by-analystprep\/\">consider taking the CFA certification<\/a> first before taking this high-tier one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"text-align:center; margin-top:32px;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/free-trial\/\"\n     target=\"_blank\"\n     rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;padding:16px 40px;background-color:#2563eb;color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;border-radius:14px;font-weight:700;font-size:17px;\">\n     Start Free Trial \u2192\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is the question that begs: is the demand for ESG expertise waning in the face of a shrinking job market? Far from it! In fact, the allure of the CFA ESG certification remains undiminished amidst evolving industry trends. With&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11169,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[269,270,70],"tags":[265,266,268,267,271],"class_list":["post-11167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cfa-esg-exam","category-cfa-esg-exam-cfa","category-cfa","tag-cfa-esg","tag-cfa-esg-course","tag-cfa-esg-curriculum","tag-cfa-esg-exam","tag-cfa-esg-exam-prep","blog-post","animate"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11167"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14050,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11167\/revisions\/14050"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analystprep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}